Nadda enterprise picks up perfect Harry's Well White Suffolk pair

A tough couple of years in the Mallee impacted the outcome of the annual Harry's Well White Suffolk and Australian White ram auction, though picking up a few new buyers was a bright spot.

The sale started off strongly at Caliph last week, but the absence of a couple of volume buyers was evident later on in the catalogue.

The Farr family sold 87 of 120 White Suffolks to $3200 twice, averaging $988, while 30 of 50 Australian Whites sold to $2200, averaging $1167.

Last year, 113 of 150 White Suffolks averaged $1081, while 39 of 40 Australian Whites averaged $1277.

CA Hampel & Partners, Nadda, who have been buying since the stud's inception, selected lots 2 and 4 at the sale high of $3200, with Brian Hampel saying they liked the size, depth, weight and growth of their two purchases.

"We sold a few more ewes this year because we didn't have any feed, but we usually have 2500 Merino ewes with half mated to Merinos for self-replacing, and the other half to White Suffolks for prime lambs," Mr Hampel said.

The lambs are usually sold over the hooks, but have been sold as suckers in the past couple of years due to lack of feed availability.

Weighing in at 113.5 kilograms, some of the July 2024-drop lot 2's eye catching Lambplan data included its 5.70 shear force measurement and 4.69 lean meat yield figure.

Also a July 2024-drop, lot 4 weighed 114.5kg, with a weaning weight of 12.97, post weaning weight of 19.45 and terminal carcase production index of 148.62.

Both rams were sired by Harry's Well 21/1056, descending from the Ramsay Park 18/8200 sire.

Leading the way in the volume buying stakes was GM&JL Obst, Wanbi, securing 16 rams in total, averaging $843.

Both buying ten rams were CM, JP & ND Smith, averaging $980, and KD&JT Westbrook, Loxton, all at $800.

Buying nine rams all at $800 were Kangaroo Island buyers DW Obst & SD Viney, while Jachmann Ag, Taplan, bought eight, averaging $1362.

Harry's Well principal acknowledged it was a tough day, but there was still some positives to take away.

"We were happy with the presentation of the rams in what has been a tough year in the Mallee," he said.

"We have had some regular buyers sell 5.5-year-old ewes already so didn't need any rams. We did pick up a few new buyers so we're excited for next year."

The Australian White offering topped at $2200 for a June 2024-drop ram weighing 95.5kg, sold to Seven Winds.

Volume support on the Australian Whites came from Clinton and Leanne Wohlfeil, CH&L Wohlfeil, Karoonda, with all seven of their buys knocked down for $1000.

Nutrien Loxton's Curly Golding thanked farmers who bought rams in excess to their needs to support the stud during a difficult time for the region's farmers.

"The results of today's sale are a reflection on the tough season our local buyers have endured, as a result our cliental have reduced their flock levels and ongoing summer feed is a concern," he said.

"Although our clearance rate was disappointing the average was still okay.

"We look forward to a much more prosperous season for the region next year."

Nutrien Loxton conducted the sale, with Gordon Wood the auctioneer.